Booking a venue

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has some unique spaces available for hire on Cockatoo Island. Our licensing staff can help you choose the perfect Cockatoo Island venue for your special event.

Here's what to do next if you are interested in one of our venues.

1. Find out

Our venue information sheets contain important information to help you think about planning a Cockatoo Island event. Remember that while the island location will make your event unforgettable, it also poses some extra challenges for event organisers.

2. Contact

Contact our Licensing Officer to discuss the suitability of proposed event to the venue you are interested in and to check availability. With a range of venues, there may be alternate locations on the island you hadn't considered. Email the Licensing Officer or call (02) 8969 2100.

3. Inspect

Following your initial enquiry, we will arrange a time for you to visit the island and inspect the venue.

4. Talk to your suppliers

Have a chat with any suppliers that you may use to host the event on the island, including suppliers for barging, transport, acoustic consultants, caterers and cleaners.

5. Documents you will need

The following documents will help you plan your special event on Cockatoo Island. Please review this important information about hiring a venue. If you have further questions or would like to discuss your event and the venue you are considering, please contact our Licensing Officer on (02) 8969 2100.

Documents for Venue Hire
Checklist for Events Download Checklist - Temporarily unavailable
Essential for all venue hire
Sample Risk Assessment Template Temporarily unavailable
Ceremony Application Form Temporarily unavailable
Small Venues Booking Form Temporarily unavailable
Noise Policy Download Draft Noise Management Plan [PDF - 558 KB].
This sample of a noise management plan was prepared by Benbow Environmental. We may require a noise management plan for large events on Cockatoo Island.
Venue Pricing Temporarily unavailable

6. Put together your proposal

For some events a more formal Event Proposal will be required, following the detailed guide below. The Licensing Officer will advise if your event is high impact and will require an event proposal.

If your event is approved, we will then prepare a licensing agreement for you to sign. To assist you with your proposal we have produced a detailed guide. This will clarify the level of information required and help guide your event planning.

7. Submit

Email your proposal to licensing@harbourtrust.gov.au or post to:
Licensing Officer
Sydney Harboru Federation Trust
PO Box 607
Mosman NSW 2088

What happens next

We will contact you to let you know if your proposal has been accepted. Note that larger events may need to be approved by the Events Committee which meets every month. We recommend that you submit your proposal as early as possible to make sure that your chosen venue is available and that all preparations can be made.

If the event is approved, we will send you a formal licensing agreement for signature.

Note: an event is not confirmed until the license has been agreed and signed.

Further information

Contact

For more information email the Licensing Officer or call (02) 8969 2100.